Machine for cleaning eggs



4 Sheets-Sheet l flag-r5 flflzzicbz'nsan ATTORNEYS H A HUTCHINSON MACHINE FOR CLEANING EGGS N R. Q a

Q 9 l 0 2 m N S d e 1 M April 21, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Harry H. Hutchinson M Tim/AK H A HUTCHINSON MACHINE FOR CLEANING EGGS A ril 21, 1953 Filed Sept. 20, 1949 April 21, 1953 H. A. HUTCHINSON MACHINE FOR CLEANING EGGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 20, 1949 ATTOR N EYS Ill/17117 2 Va? I I I 1 I I 1 1 I I 1 a 1 April 21, 1.953 v H. A. HUTCHINSON 2,535,266

MACHINE FOR CLEANING EGGS Filed Sept. 20, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 \m D "i m fiarry HJiu 5c]: inson.

ATTORN EYS Patented Apr. 21, 1953 MACHINE FOR CLEANING nods Harry A. Hutchinson, Sebastopol, Calif., assignor to H. & P. Egg Cleaner 00., Sebastopol, Calif.,

a partnership Application September 20, 1949, Serial N0. 116,807

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for cleaning eggs preparatory to marketing them; the machine being of a power driven, high capacity type.

One important object of the present invention is to provide a novel machine for cleaning eggs, which is operative to conduct the process rapidly and effectively; such process including washing, drying, and anti-bacterial treatment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for cleaning eggs, which embodies an egg supporting and washing mechanism of novel construction and function; such mechanism including an elongated, circumferentially corrugated roller and a cooperating longitudinal brush, the latter being swingable from a normal working position relative to the roller to another position which causes automatic discharge of all the eggs from said mechanism into engagement'byan adjacent conveyor.

A separate object of the invention is to provide a machine for cleaning eggs, which comprises a novel combination, with a constantly driven conveyor, of the' above egg washing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine, as in the preceding paragraph, wherein the conveyor is endless and horizontally disposed; the egg washing mechanism being mounted adajacent one run of the conveyor to deliver thereto.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a machine for cleaning eggs, which is arranged for ease of manual placement of the eggs in, and their removal from, said machine.

It is alsoan object of the invention to provide a machine for cleaning eggs, designed for economy and simplicity of manufacture; the machine, nevertheless, being sturdy, and requiring a minimum of maintenance or repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a commercially practical and reliable machine for cleaning eggs, and one whichwill be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 1-A comprise, together, a fulltop plan view of the machine, each figure representing one longitudinal half of the machine.

. Fig.2 is an enlarged cross section on, line 2- -2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation on line 3--3 of Fig. l-A.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section on line I4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the machine comprises a rigid, upstanding main frame, indicated at I, and which frame is horizontally elongated.

Intermediate the ends thereof, and substantially centrally of its sides, the main frame I carries an egg supporting and Washing mechanism, indicated generally at 2, such mechanism comprising the following:

A pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending rollers 3 are journaled in connection with the top portion of the mainframe I; such rollers 3 including center shafts 5 journaled at the ends, as at 5, in connection with cross members 6 of said frame. I

The rollers 3 are driven in unison, with said rollers turning toward each other at the top, by means of a gear train l connecting the center shafts 4 at one end thereof; such gear train I being driven in turn from an electric motor 8 by means of an endless belt and pulley unit 9. a

The rollers 3 are circumferentially corrugated, as shown, and are provided throughout with resilient facing I0. i

A longitudinal brush iunit, indicated generally at I I, is disposed laterally outward in cooperative relation to each roller 3, being I formed and mounted as follows:

Each brush unit II comprises a longitudinal back bar I2 having bristles I 3 projecting from the working face thereof and for the full length of said bar. At the top thereof the longitudinal back bar I2 is fitted with a horizontal, longitue dinal shaft I4, which shaft projects beyond op posite ends of said bar I2 and removably rests in a cradle {I5 in the upper end of an adjacent standard It which upstands from the, main frame I.

The bristles, while shown diagrammatically in the drawings, are actually trimmed to form grooves at right angles to bar I2 in slightly angled opposed relation to the roller grooves and so as to conform to the curvature of the eggs. This shaping of the bristles, together with the form and upward and outward rotation of the rollers", causes the eggs to revolve about both axes while holding the eggs spaced, and preventing them from striking each other and possibly checking the shells. Nor are the eggs bounced'or vibrated in a manner to loosen the yolks.

Each longitudinal back: bar [2 is limited in its downward movement by stop pins I! on the standards it below the corresponding shaft l4. As so limited in its downward motion the bar 12 is in its normal working position, inclining downwardly and inwardly substantially tangential to the corresponding roller 3. At the lower edge thereof each back bar '12 includes a laterally inwardly projecting longitudinal lip l8 which is scalloped in matching relation to, and projects into, the grooves of said roller in offset relation to the center thereof, in such a manner that the eggs revolve on their long axis at the same'time they are being revolved on their short axis by the roller. This insures that all areasof the egg shells are turned to the brush face and hence no portion is left uncleaned.

A longitudinal, low-pressure water supply pipe l9 extends above each back bar l2, being removably supported in cradles on the upper ends-o-f iposts 21-; Each watersupplypipe [9 may have spray holes orlater-ally inwardly projecting ,sprayrnozzl'es 22, whereby water is sprayed from said nozzles onto eggs 23 riding in the pockets 24 formedby the downward convergence of the roller channels 25 and the brushunits H. The low pressure usedprevents water being forced into the pores of the shells, with a deleterious effect.

. When the machine is operation the poo ets '24 corresponding-to each of the rollers 3 are filled with-eggs; and with rotation of such rollers the 'eggsturn end over end, being brushed by the bristles l3 to clean the same. The :pipes [9 are interconnected at opposite ends,-and wateris supplied to the pipe' assembly through the medium of a fitting 26 and a hose 21. I

Below the washing mechanism 2- the machine includes a water tank 28 to catch the water which drips from the assembly of rollers 3 and brush units 1 i.-

This tank-may'carry a workingsupply of water suitably heated to the most efiicient cleaning temperature, and thus providing an economical means of using detergents and/or bactericides during the washing operation.

After a row of eggs 23 has been thoroughly washed or cleaned by each roller 3 and the related brush unit I l, the latter is swung upwardly from its working position to an egg discharge position; See the dottedline position of the left hand brush unit inFig. 2. As such brush unit I l is swung upwardly to its egg discharge position, the-e gs .23 are carried upwardly on the roller 3 so that they approach top dead-center of the latter, whereupon such eggsride over the top of therollr and fall into a longitudinal trough 29 which extends horizontally between the rollers 35. The trough 29 is suitably mounted in connection with the main frame, and includes laterally project'ing flanges 30 which are scalloped in matching relation to, and project into the corrugations 6f, adjacent rollers 3. This is to assure that eggs as discharged from the roller effectively clear the latter and immediately transfer to the trough 29.

The trough is transversely sloped or curved in such amanner that the eggs will roll gently into place therein, preventing breaking or checking of the shells. Also, they will be rolled on their long axisinto and through the tunnel in a smooth and regular manner, facilitating drying and also exposing all. areas of the eggs to the germicidal lamps. ,Also, jostling or wedging of the eggs in the machine, with resultant damage to the eggs, is prevented.

The brush units I I are adapted to be selectively and independently swung upward, to egg discharge position, by means of an upstanding hand lever 3| on the right hand end of the shafts l4 which support the back bars E2.

The trough 29 extends a short distance beyond the left hand end of the washing mechanism 2, then defines a half circle rearwardly, and thence has a rear portion which extends straight and lengthwise of the main frame to the rear of said washing mechanism 2 for at least the full length of .thelatter.

At'its' free end the rear portion of said trough 29 is formed with a chute 32 which discharges onto an egg receiving tray 33 removably supported-by the arms 34 which project outwardly from the-adjacent end of the main frame I.

An endless egg conveyor, indicated generally at 3-5, is mounted on the main frame I and has a forward run which cooperates with the portion .ofthe trough .29 between the .rollers3, and arearward which cooperates with the. rearvportion of said trough; one turn ofthe-conveyor working in matching relation above the half-circle portion of the trough 29 which connects adjacent ends thereof;

Such endless conveyor 35 comprises a pair .of vertical-axispulleys '36 and 31 disposed beyond opposite ends of the Washing. mechanism 2; the pulley 35 having'a downwardly projecting spindle .38 journaled inviconnection with the main frame, .as at 39. The pulley '31. includes a downwardly projecting spindle 40 which extendsi'nto a gear box 4! driven by a universal shaft 42 from the adjacent end of one of the center shafts 4. .In thisrmanner the pulley 31' and consequently the endless conveyor-"s5 are driven from the washing mechanism 2, which in turn ac tue ated by the motor}. This simplifies thestructure and permits .theuon'efmotorl8 to 'drivebo'th said washing mechanism 2 and endless conveyor 35.-

An "endless .belt 43 extends between andiiis trainedabout the pulleys 36 and 31 the for ward and rearward runs of such beltextending.

in suitable guide channels 44 disposedilaterally, butradjacent the .front .andflrear portions,. of the trough .29.

A... multiplicity of upstanding fingers 45 are fixed on the belt 43 inispaced relation, andeach finger 45 carries a transverse pusher rodABwhidh overliesthe trough 29 inleggadvancing relation thereto; .the .fingers 45=land pusher rodsi lfi being spaced apart .a distanceisufficient to lpermitan egg to seat therebetween'inthe trough '29.

The pusher rodsLareh shaped and. designed to prevent fracture of e gs contacting the same, and so thatthe moving eggs are maintained in their proper position at the centerof the trough 29,. and are rolled about their longitudinal axis in a positive manner as they .are conveyed forward.

It will therefore be recognized that as each row of eggs is discharged from one of the rollers 3 by upward swinging of the corresponding brush unit H, such row will fall onto the adjacent portion of the trough 29, with each egg engaged between a pair of the pusher rods 46. Such eggs are then advanced along the trough by ,said pusher rods, traversing the half-circle iendiportion of the trough, and then traveling lengthwise along the rear portion thereof to final discharge into the chute 3-2, whereupon said eggs roll onto the egg receiving tray 23.

To assure that the 'eggsdo not escape radially outwardly from the half-circle end portion of,

the trough 29, the latter is formed in a curved end channelufl'. From theyend channel 41 the eggs ,are advanced by the endless conveyor 35 into a horizontal, longitudinal tunnel 48 which encompasses substantially the entire rear portion of said trough 29.

-,The tunnel 48 is sectional for ease of access tothe parts mounted therein.

A motor driven blower 49 feeds air through the tunnel 48 in the directionin which the endless conveyor travels therethrough; the forward section ,of, the tunnel 48 including an electric heating unit 50 therein, Thus, as the eggs leave the Washing mechanism 2 and advance in wet condition into thetunnel 48 they are first dried by the electric heating unit 50; the moist air being carried away by the air stream generated in the tunnel 48 by the motor driven blower 49.

Beyond the electric heating unit, in the direction of advance, the tunnel 48 is fitted with one or more germicidal lamps which has an anti-bacterial effect on the eggs passing therebeneath. After the eggs pass the germicidal lamps 5| they reach the chute 32, whereupon they fall away from the pusher rods 46 and deliver down the chute 32, as hereinbefore described.

Rather than delivering onto tray 33, chute 32 may discharge onto a mechanical scale, or onto a moving belt to carry the eggs to be candled, graded, cased or otherwise serviced and handled.

The Working parts of the machine are constantly in operation when such machine is in use, one substantial advantage of the machine being that the rows of eggs engaged between the rollers 3 and brush units I i may be permitted to remain in the washing mechanism 2 for a variable length of time so as to assure that the washing is complete.

As the washing of each row of eggs is completed the operator merely swings the corresponding hand lever 3| to cause such row to discharge into the trough 29 for advance, automatically, by the endless conveyor 35 into the tunnel 48, first for the drying step, and then the anti-bacterial step as described.

To speed up the drying process, a brush 5 may project into the curved portion 41 of trough 29 adjacent the entry to the drying tunnel, so that as the eggs are moved forward and revolved on their way into the tunnel, they pass over the brush, thus removing any excess water.

The machine provides for the very practical and eflicient washing of eggs, having a relatively high capacity without complexity of mechanism.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations therefrom may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. In a machine for cleaning eggs, a frame, a driven longitudinal roller on the frame, a longitudinal brush unit mounted adjacent one side of the roller in normally downwardly converging relation thereto whereby to pocket eggs between the roller and brush unit, the roller turning upwardly on said one side, means mounting the brush unit for upward motion to raise the eggs sufficiently to cause them to ride over the top of the roller, and egg receiving means extending along the other side of the roller; the roller being circumferentially corrugated, and the brush unit including a laterally inwardly projecting lip on its lower edge scalloped in matching relation to and normally closely adjacent said corrugated roller.

2. In a machine for cleaning eggs, a fra'mefa driven longitudinal roller on the frame, a longitudinal brush unit mounted adjacent one side of the roller in normally downwardly converging relation thereto whereby to pocket eggs between the roller and brush unit, the roller turning upwardly on said one side, means mounting the brush unit for upward motion to raise the eggs sufliciently to cause them to ride over the top of the roller, and an egg receiving and conveying assembly along the other side of the roller arranged to convey the eggs thereon lengthwise of the roller to a point beyond the same.

3. In a machine for cleaning eggs, a frame, a driven longitudinal roller on the frame, a longitudinal brush unit mounted adjacent one side of the roller in normally downwardly converging relation thereto whereby to pocket eggs between the roller and brush unit, the roller turning upwardly on said one side, means mounting the brush unit for upward motion to raise the eggs sufiiciently to cause them to ride over the top of the roller, an egg receiving trough extending longitudinally along the opposite side of the roller, and an endless conveyor associated with the trough; said conveyor comprising an endless flexible member having one run disposed adjacent one side of the trough and extending lengthwise thereof, fingers upstanding from said member at intervals, and lateral egg-engaging pusher elements projecting laterally from the fingers in overhanging relation to the trough, said elements being spaced apart a distance not less than the diameter of an egg.

4. In a machine for cleaning eggs, a frame, a driven longitudinal roller on the frame, a longitudinal brush unit mounted adjacent one side of the roller in normally downwardly converging relation thereto whereby to pocket eggs between the roller and brush unit, the roller turning upwardly on said one side, means mounting the brush unit for upward motion to raise the eggs sufficiently to cause them to ride over the top of the roller, and an egg receiving trough extending longitudinally along the opposite side of the roller; the roller being circumferentially corrugated and said trough including a flange projecting toward the roller in normally closely adjacent, matchingly scalloped relation thereto.

5. In a machine for cleaning eggs, a frame, a pair of driven longitudinal rollers on the frame in adjacent substantially parallel relation, an egg receiving trough mounted between adjacent sides of the rollers of a width to receive a single egg lengthwise, a longitudinal brush unit mounted adjacent the outer side of each roller in normally downwardly converging relation thereto whereby to pocket eggs between each roller and brush unit, the rollers turning upwardly on their outer sides, and means mounting the brush units for upward motion independent of each other to raise the eggs sufficiently to cause them to ride over the top of the rollers onto said eggreceiving trough.

6. In a machine for cleaning eggs, a frame,

7 apair o1 driven longitudinal, rollers on. the, frame inpadjaeent substantially parallel relation, egg receiving means mounted between-adjacent sides of theroller, a longitudinal brush unit mounted adjacent the outer sideof each roller in normally downwardly converging relation thereto whereby to pocket e gs between. each roller and brush unit, the rollers turning upwardly on their outer sides, and means mounting the brush units for upward motion to raise the. eggs sufficiently to cause them to ride over the topv of the rollers onto said egg receiving means; there being an egg conveyor included with said egg receiving means, to move the.- eggs on said receiving means lengthwise of 1311811011913 to a point. beyond the, same.

HARRY A. HUTCHINSON.

8 References. Cited in the file of-this patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

